Suction cleaning apparatus



D 1942- c. H. TAYLOR 2,303,409 7 I SUCTION CLEANING APPARATUS Filed A ri1' 9,. 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 wlmssss:

INVENTOR fffl 3b CHABLES H. Tanae ATTORN Dec- 1, v I c H. TAYLOR I v SUCTION CLEANING APPARATUS Filed April 9, 1940 s Sheets-Sheet 2 I v I 24 33 s 29 a7 34 WITNESSES: .FIE.. 4 INVENTOR Owe/.55 H. TAYLOB ATTORNj E @452. c. H. TAYLOR '2,3@34@ SUCTION CLEANING APPARATUS $11M April 9, 1940 5 Sllec-zts-fulneec 5 I INVENTOR WITNESSES: A X? @M v CU /21.55 hi. Tmmoa Patented Dec. 1, 1942 2,303,409 SUCTION CLEANING APPARATUS Charles H. Taylor, Springfield, Mass., assignor to Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application April 9, 1940, Serial No. 328,609

17 Claims.

My invention relates to suction cleaning apparatus, more particularly to a carriage for adapting a suction cleaner of, the hand type for floor service.

An object of my invention is to provide a carriage whereby a small, lightweight suction cleaner of the hand type can be easily and quickly adapted for efllcient floor service.

A further object is to provide a carriage whereby a suction cleaner of the hand type maybe mounted for floor servicein such a manner as to permit the nozzle to adjust itself relatively vertically with respect to the carriage so that the nozzle may remain in proper relation to the surface of the carpet or other floor covering being cleaned.

These and other objects are efiected by my invention as will be apparent from the following description and claims taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one form of the carriage with a hand suction cleaner mounted thereon;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the carriage shown in Fig. 1, with the cleaner removed;

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the carriage;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the carriage with a hand suction cleaner mounted thereon. the

.outlet of the cleaner and the bag being omitted for the sake of clearness;

Fig, 5 is a side elevation of a second embodiment of the carriage with a hand suction cleaner mounted thereon; and,

Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view of Fig. 5.

Like reference characters indicate like parts in the several views;

The hand suction cleaner shown in Figs.1, 4, 5, and 6 comprises a body portion 3, a fan chamber 2 to the outlet of which is attached the usual filter bag 4, a nozzle portion I and a handle 5 for manipulating the device as a hand cleaner. As shown more particularly in Fig. 6, the nozzle I has lips B, I, 8 and 9 which have shoulders H), H, l2, and I3, the function of which will be explained hereinafter.

The cleaner is provided with a cord l4 for connecting to a source of power and a switch I5 for controlling the operation of the cleaner motor.

The carriage structure shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4 represents the preferred embodiment of my invention and comprises a handle 20 having a hand grip 2| at its upper end and a chassis or 20 is provided near its upper end with a cord hook IS. The hook l6 supports the cord l4 from the floor when the cleaner is in operation and when the carriage, with the cleaner mounted thereon, is stored the entire cord l4 may be reeled on the hook [6 for storage.

The legs of the chassis or yoke structure 22 are symmetrical and comprise two' upper members 23 and two lower members 24, each lower member 24 having a substantially horizontal portion 26 and a substantially vertical portion 2]. The upper members 23 span the distance between the upper and lower ends of the members 24 and are rigidly attached thereto at points l3 and 28 as by welding or any other suitable means. A bowed axle 29, having wheels 30 rotatably carried on the ends thereof, is carried between the lower ends of the upper members 23. ".The wheels 30 provide a support for the carriage structure and enable it to be easily moved over the surface being cleaned. A transverse member 32 having a loop 33 at its center is rigidly attached, at a point rearwardly of the wheels 30, to the horizontal portions 26- of the lower members 24.

A substantially U-shaped cradle 34 is pivoted.

to the chassis or yoke structure 22 at 4|. The cradle 34 has an end portion ,36 and substantially parallel legs 31. which comprise offset portions 38 and 39, the offset portions 38 and 33 being connected by a transverse portion 40. The cradle is pivoted to the chassis or yoke structure 23 by looping the ends of the portions 39 around the transverse member 32 as indicated at 4|. The side members 33 of the cradle are bent slightly towards each other so as to resiliently engage the shoulders l0; II, and H of the nozzle lips 6, T, andB.

When the cleaner is placed on the carriage for service on the floor, the nozzle is supported by the portion 42 of the cradle 34 which is shaped so that the members 33 and 36 fit around and bind theshoulders H), H,- and I2 of the cleaner nozzle lips 6, l, and 8. The body of the cleaner is supported by an M-shaped member 43 which is rigidly carried on the legs 31 of the cradle 34 and attached thereto as by welding.

The cleaner is held in position on the carriage by the portion 42 of the cradle 34, which resiliently engages and supports the nozzle of the cleaner, and by the M-shaped member 43, which snugly receives and supports the body of the cleaner. The Weight of the cleaner holds it steady on the carriage;

Coil springs 44 are wrapped around the transyoke structure 22 at its lower end. The handle verse mem er 32 andeach Sp 44 as One Of its ends 45 hooked in the loop 38 of the transverse member 32 and the other end hooked under the M-shaped member 43 as shown at 46. The springs 44 apply a turning moment. to the U- shaped cradle 34 which tends to lift the nozzle "of the cleaner from the surface being cleaned.

The magnitude of this turning moment is less than, but approximates 8,0 or 90% of, the force of gravity acting on the nozzle due to the weight of the cleaner. The cradle 34 is limited in its upward movement by the transverse portions 46 and it is limited in its downward movement by hairpin-shaped loops 4! which surround the horizontal portions 26 of the lower yoke members 24.

It will be noted that the cradle 34 is pivoted some distance rearwardly of the center of gravity of the cleaner. With this arrangement, a more stabilized operation is provided than if the cradle is pivoted near the center of gravity. If the cradle is pivoted near the center of gravity, the nozzle of the cleaner will tend to bounce up and down as the carriage is moved backwards and forwards over the surface undergoing cleaning, but with a relatively long lever arm between the pivot point of the cradle and the center of gravity of the cleaner, the nozzle will have a less tendency to bounce as the carriage is moved backwards and forwards over the surface. Accordingly, with a relatively long lever arm between the pivot point of the cradle and the center of gravity of the cleaner, the nozzle of the cleaner will rub smoothly over the surface undergoing cleaning during both the forward and rearward movement of the carriage.

The pivoted cradle will permit the nozzle I of the cleaner to adjust itself vertically to com-' pensate for varying characters and contours of the surface being cleaned. This adjustment is very sensitive because most of the force'of grav-' ity acting on the nozzle is counterbalanced by the springs 44. The residual force of gravity acting on the nozzle is just suiiicient to cause the nozzle of the cleaner to bear lightly against the surface being cleaned regardless of the character or contourof the surface, but not enough to make the nozzle bury or dig into the surface at any time. For example, if the carriage is The cleaner is supported on the carriage structure by a U-shaped cradle 64 which comprises parallel legs 65 and an end portion 65. The U-shaped cradle 64 is attached to the carriage by looping ends 68 of the legs 65 about the trunnions 62 of the brush roll 63.

The U-shaped cradle 64 has a portion 69 which engages the shoulders III, II, and I2 of the 'nozzle lips 6, I, and 8, and the body of the cleaner is supported by an M-shaped member 15 which is rigidly carried on the legs 65 of the U-shaped cradle 64.

The cleaner is held in position on the carriage by the portion 69 of the U-shaped cradle 64 which engages the shoulders II, II and I2 of the nozzle lips 6, I and 8 and the M-shaped member 15 which snugly receives and supports the body of the cleaner. The weight of the cleaner holds it steady on the carriage.

The cradle 64 is free to pivot up and down about the trunnions 62 of the brush roll 63. This will permit the nozzle I of the cleaner to adjust itself vertically with respect to the carriage depending upon the thickness, character, and type of surface being cleaned. Tension springs 16 have one of their ends looped about the legs 65 of the cradle 64 and the other ends are fastened to the upper members 55 of the handle structure by means of eyes 11. These springs I6 apmy a turning moment to the cradle 64 which tends to raise the nozzle I of the cleaner from the surface being cleaned. The magnitude of this turning moment is less than, but approximates 80 to 90% of, the forces of gravity acting on the nozzle due to the weight of the cleaner. The upward movement of the cradle is limited by the M-shaped member 15 which will abut against the members 51 if the cradle tends to move too far upward.

The brush roll 52, having tufts I3, is rotated by the tufts contacting the floor. The tufts 13 will loosen upthe nap of the carpet so that the dirt may be more readily picked up by the suction cleaner and will also erase any marks left by the used on a surface having a thick nap, the wheels onto the nap, but due to the fact that most of this weightis counterbalanced and the residual force of the gravity acting on the nozzle is very small and the fact that the cradle is free to pivot, the nozzle will adjust itself vertically and bear lightly-against the surface being cleaned. Thus, it is automatically maintained in proper relation to said surface for effective cleaning.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 5 and 6, thecarriage comprises a handle structure havinga hand grip 5| at its upper end and a yoke structure or chassis 52 at its lower end. The legs of the chassis or yoke structure 52 are symmetrical and comprise two upper members 55 and two lower members 56. A substantially horizontal member 51 is fastened to the lower ends of the members 55 and 56 on each side by some well known means, such as welding. The front ends of the horizontal members 51 are bent as indicated at 58 to form axles 59 for wheels 60, and the rear ends are looped around trunnions 62 of a brush roll 63 as shown at 61. The loops 61 provide bearings in which the trunnions 62 rotate,

wheels 60 when the carriage is moved forwardly over the surface to be cleaned. Member 16 which is attached to the M-shaped member 15 atpoints serves as a guard to keep the cord l4 from getting tangled in the brush roll.

To remove the cleaner from the carriage it is simple necessary to take hold of the handle 5 and lift the cleaner from the carriage.

While I have shown my invention in several forms, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various other changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are specifically set forth in the appended claims,

What I claim is:

1. In a device for adapting a hand suction cleaner for floor service, said cleaner including a body and a nozzle, the combination of a handle having a chassis attached to its lower end, means associated with said chassis for supporting the same on the surface to be cleaned, a cradle pivoted to said chassis for supporting the cleaner on the same with the nozzle of said cleaner in proper cleaning relation to the surface being cleaned, said cradle having portions conforming to the shape of said cleaner so that when said cleaner is placed in operating position on said cradle said cleaner is retained 5 against horizontal movement by said cradle withsame on the surface to be cleaned, a cradle pivoted to said chassis rearwardly of said chassissupporting means and extending from said pivot point forwardly of said chassis-supporting means, said cradle being shaped so as to retain said cleaner against movement in all horizontal directions, means limiting vertical movement of said cradle, and means associated with said chassis and applying a turning moment to said cradle which tends to lift the nozzle of the cleaner from the surface being cleaned.

3. In a carriage for adapting a hand suction cleaner for floor service, said cleaner including a nozzle portion and a body portion, in combination, a handle structure having a yoke at its lower end, means pivoted to said yoke for supporting the cleaner, said cleaner-supporting means including a portion conforming to the shape of and resiliently engaging the cleaner nozzle, means coacting between the yoke and the cleaner-supporting means which tends to lift the nozzle of the cleaner from the surface being cleaned, and means associated with said yoke coacting between said chassis and said cradle for applying a turning moment to the cradle which tends to lift the nozzle of the cleaner from the surface being cleaned and means associated with the chassis and providing a support for the carriage.

7. In a carriage for adapting a hand suction cleaner for floor service, said cleaner including a nozzle and a body portion, in combination a handle structure having a yoke at its lower end, a transverse member carried by said yoke, a cradle pivoted to said transverse member for supporting the suction cleaner on. the yoke, said cradle including a portion conforming to the shape of and engaging the nozzle of the cleaner and an M-shaped portion for supporting the body of the cleaner, a coil spring wrapped around for supporting the, carriage on the surface to be cleaned.

In a carri ge for adapting a hand suction cleaner for floor service, said cleaner including a nozzleand a body portion, in combination a handle structure having a chassis at its lower end, a U-shaped cradle pivoted by its legs to said handle structure, said cradle having a portion engageable with the nozzle of the cleaner and a portion for supporting the body of the cleaner, means coacting between the chassis and said cradle for applying a turning moment to the cradle which tends to lift the nozzle of the cleaner from the surface being cleaned, and means associated with said chassis for supporting the carriage on the surface to be cleaned.

5. In a carriage for adapting a hand suction cleaner for floor service, said cleaner including a. nozzle and a body portion, in combination a handle structure having a chassis at its lower end, a U-shaped cradle 'for supporting the cleaner pivoted to said chassis, said cradle having a portion in a substantially horizontal plane which conforms to the shape of and embraces the nozzle of the cleaner and a portion for engaging the body of the cleaner, spring means coacting between said chassis and said cradle for applying a turning moment to the cradle which tends to lift the nozzle of the cleaner from the surface being cleaned and means associted with the chassis for supporting the carriige on the surface being cleaned.

. In a carriage for adapting a hand suctiqn cleaner for floor service, said cleaner including a nozzle and a body portion, in combination a handle structure, a chassis carried by the lower end of said handle structure, a transverse member carried by said chassis, a cradle pivoted to said transverse member for supporting the cleaner, said cradle having a portion extending along at least three sides of and conforming to the shape of the enie nf the cleaner, means said transverse member and having one end engaging said transverse member and having the other end engaging said cradle for applying a turning moment to the cradle which tends to lift the nozzle of the cleaner from the surface being cleaned, and means associated with said yoke for supporting the carriage on the surface being cleaned.

8. In a carriage for adapting a suction cleaner of the hand type for floor service, said cleaner comprising a nozzle and a body portion, in combination, a handle having a yoke at its lower and, each side of said yoke having a lower member which has a substantially vertical portion and a substantially horizontal portion and an upper member which spans the ends of the lower member and is rigidly attached thereto, a transverse member carried by said lower members of said yoke, a U-shaped cradle having its ends looped around said transverse member, said cradle including a portion conforming to the shape of the nozzle of the cleaner and engaging the same and a portion for engaging the body of the cleaner, spring means carried by said transverse member for applying a turning moment to said cradle which tends to lift the nozzle of the cleaner from the surface being cleaned, and means associated with the lower end of said yoke for supporting the carriage on the surface being cleaned.

9. In a carriage for adapting a hand suction cleaner for floor service, said cleaner including a nozzle and a body portion, in combination, a handle structure having a chassis at its lower end, said chassis having wheels rotatably carried at one end and a floor-engaging brush rotatably carried at the other end, a U-shaped member pivoted to said chassis adjacent said brush, said U-shaped member having a portion conforming to the shape of and engaging the nozzle of the cleaner, and means coacting between said handle s ructure and said U-shaped member for applying a turning moment to the U-shaped member which tends to raise the cleaner nozzle from the surface being cleaned.

10. A carriage for adapting a hand suction cleaner for floor service as claimed in claim 9,

v wherein the U-shaped member is pivoted to said chassis coaxially with said brush.

11.. In a carriage for adapting a hand suction cleaner for floor service, said cleaner including a nozzle and a body portion, in combination a handle structure having a chassis at its lower end, a rotatable floor-engaging brush carried by said chassis, a cradle structure pivoted to said chassis adjacent said brush, said cradle extending forwardly from said brush and having aportion conforming to the shape of and engaging the nozzle of the cleaner and a transverse portion for supporting the body of the cleaner, spring means coacting between said handle structure and said cradle which tends to raise the nozzle of the cleaner from the surface being cleaned, and means associated with said chassis for supporting said carriage on the surface to be cleaned.

12. A carriage as claimed in claim 11, wherein the cradle structure is pivoted to said chassis coaxially with said brush.

13. In a carriage for adapting a hand suction cleaner for floor service, said cleaner including a nozzle and a body portion, in combination, a handle structure, means pivoted to said handle structure for supporting the cleaner, said cleaner supporting means having a portion conforming to the shape of and engaging the nozzle of the cleaner and a transverse member for engaging and supporting the body of the cleaner, means coacting between said cleaner supporting means and the handle structure for applying a turning moment to the cleaner supporting means which tends to lift the cleaner nozzle from the surface being cleaned, and means associated with said handle structure for supporting the carriage on the surface to be cleaned.

14. In a device for adapting a hand suction cleaner for floor service, said cleaner including a nozzle at its front end and a motor at its rear end, the combination of a supporting structure including means engaging the surface to be cleaned and including a handle, a cleaner supporting member pivoted at its rear end to said supporting structure, said supporting member being provided with a portion at its rear end adjacent the pivotal connection for engaging and supporting the rear end of the cleaner and with a portion at its front end for engaging and at least partially supporting the front end of the cleaner, said portions of the cleaner supporting member being formed so as to retain the cleaner against horizontal movement when the cleaner is positioned thereon, and spring means coacting between the supporting structure and the cleaner supporting member for applying a turning moment to the latter which tends to lift the nozzle, whereby the cleaner is retained on the adapter device by gravity without additional fasthe surface being cleaned for supporting the handle structure thereon, means attached to said handle structure and vertically movable with respect thereto and on which said cleaner is removably supported with the nozzle disposed in operative relation to the surface to be cleaned, and means coacting between said handle structure and said cleaner-supporting means for applying an upward bias to' the nozzle of the cleaner to cause the same to bear lightly downwardly against the surface to be cleaned and atflust itself vertically to compensate for difference in character of the surface being cleaned.

16. In a carriage for adapting a hand suction cleaner for floor service, said cleaner including a nozzle, in combination, a handle structure having a chassis at its lower end, means for supporting said chassis on the surface to be cleaned, means pivoted to said chassis rearwardly of said chassis-supporting means and extending forwardly thereof, and on which said cleaner is removably positioned, for supporting said suction cleaner with the nozzle in operative relation to the surface to be cleaned, and means applying a turning moment to said cleaner-supporting means which tends to lift the nozzle of the cleaner upwardly sufficiently to cause the same to bear lightly against the surface being cleaned and adjust itself vertically to compensate for difference in character of the surface being cleaned.

17. In a carriage for adapting a hand suction cleaner for floor service, said cleaner including a nozzle and a body portion, in combination, a handle structure having a chassis at its lower end, 'frontand rear supporting means for said chassis, means pivoted to said chassis near said rear chassis-supporting means and vertically movable with respect to the chassis and extending forwardly beyond said front chassis-supporting means, and on which said cleaner is removably positioned, for supporting said cleaner with the nozzle disposed in operative relation to the surface to be cleaned, and means coacting between said chassis and cleaner-supporting means and applying a turning moment to said cleanersupporting means which tends to lift the nozzle of the cleaner upwardly sufllcient to cause the same to bear lightly against the surface being cleaned and adjust itself vertically to compen sate for difference in character of the surface being cleaned.

CHARLES H. TAYLOR. 

